BeHir FF We are different (Chapter28&29UPDATED on page 34) LASTUPD - Page 17

Both the chapters are awesome👍🏼😃

CAHPTER 22

Next morning when Mahir woke up, he saw that Bella was still sleeping peacefully. So he went quietly to the bathroom and freshened up. When he came out after taking a bath he saw that Bella was just about waking up. When she saw that Mahir was already dressed and ready, she hurried to the bathroom. Soon even she had had a bath. She came out wearing her night dress and told Mahir that she would need some help in wearing the saree. She went inside the changing room and called Mahir when she was ready. Mahir went in and again helped her hook up her blouse and waited around till she had finished wearing her saree. He then helped to pin her pallu in place.

When they stepped out they saw Sumi ma, Amma, Kuhu and Suhani waiting for them.

Sumi ma: We knocked on the door for ten minutes but you didn't open the door. So we thought you were still asleep.

Amma: So we came in.

Kuhu: What were you both doing inside?

B: Changing..

Suhani: Together?

M: NO. I was helping Bella.

K: Ohhh. How romantic!!!

B: Kuhu!!

Suhani: What? It is romantic.

Sumi ma: Girls! Don't trouble them. We came here to tell you that today you both will cook a meal for us. So come down fast.

Sumi ma had started this when Rehan got married. On the first day after marriage, both the bride and the groom will cook the food instead of only bride completing the first rasoi ritual. So BeHir went downstairs quickly and started preparing the breakfast for everyone. Amma and Sumi ma had trained both the boys in kitchen. They were of the opinion that there is nothing girly or boyish about cooking. If hunger is something that you feel then cooking is something that you must know. Cooking is a necessary survival skill that everyone must know, irrespective of their gender. Kuhu and Suhani had told everyone about the changing together incident and Rehan and Pratham were teasing them mercilessly.

When the breakfast served, BeHir were given nek for cooking a very tasty breakfast. Just as they were finishing their breakfast, Mayur and Tanya entered the house.

Mayur: Hey guys! Congratulations on your wedding.

Tanya: Sorry we couldn't make it yesterday. Actually, our panditji told us that yesterday was a very good mahurat for our engagement.

Mayur: So our parents insisted that we have an engagement ceremony yesterday.

BeHir: Wow! Congratulations!!!

Tanya: We are actually here to give you the wedding invitation.

Mayur: It's a couple of months later. Do come.

M: Don't worry. We will come.

B: Yes we will come. Come sit, I will serve you some kheer. We have made it.

Tanya: We?

M: As in me and Bella. Ma's rule. The first rasoi ritual is to be completed by both the bride and the groom and not by just the bride.

Mayur: Wow! Nice rule Sumitra Aunty.

Sumi ma: Thanks.

Bella asks Dolly to serve kheer to Mayur and Tanya. After meeting Rehan, Kuhu, Pratham and Suhani, they went home. BeHir were to have areception in the evening in one of the biggest hotels in the city. Sumi ma wanted to tell Bella of her decision of nominating her as the next MD of Kapoor and Sehgal Industries. But first Rehan wanted to give Bella her wedding gift. When Mayur and Tanye left Rehan brought out the signed papers and handed them over to Bella.

B: Rehan, what is this?

R: I am transferring my shares to you.

B: But why?

R: Because ma has taken a decision and my decision will make it easier to execute.

B: What decision ma?

Sumi ma: Bella I have decided that when I retire in March 2019, I want you to take my position of the MD in our company. Even Vyankatesh will be retiring and Mahir will take his position of AMD.

Appa: As of April 2019 the two companies will be merging and the new company Kapoor and Sehgal Industries will belong to the two of you.

K: Yes. Mahir I have no interest in the business. I am quite happy with my fashion house. And frankly, being a shareholder is kind of stressful and I don't want that stress. I am transferring that stress to you. Here are my shares of our company. They are in your name now.

R: Bella see, we both have no interest in the business. If we continue to remain shareholders in the company then it will be a hindrance for the both of you. Since we hold a large chunk of shares, you will need our approval for every little thing. It will be legal as well as a moral obligation that you will have to follow. We have no interest in being the silent shareholders of the company.

M: But Rehan, Kuhu if that is the case then we will buy those shares from you.

K: Mahir, we don't deserve the amount either. See, whatever is the market value of the shares, it's is because of Amma, Appa Sumi ma, Bella and your hard work. Our elders expanded the companies and you having been working since you were twenty two years old.

R: The current market value is because of the Johnson deal. And that happened because of you two. This decision of ours will make everyone's life easier.

B: And ma why are you making me the MD. That position is Mahir's.

Sumi ma: Bella this decision was taken after talking with the board of directors and the major shareholders. This is not my own decision. Even Mahir agrees with me.

B: Why weren't we included in that meeting?

Sumi ma: Because, technically you both were not shareholders till yesterday. Omkar and Janvi's will stipulated that you will get the shares after your marriage, which happened yesterday. And even I wanted to hand over the shares to my kids after their marriage. Since Kuhu married first, she got her share first. So she and Rehan were present for the meeting.

B: But ma..

Appa: No, buts Bella. This is your duty.

M: Yes Bella. If there is anyone who has even a hope of replacing ma, then it's you. NO one can even hope to take her place and lead the company. Accept it, I will always be there for you.

B: Okay. I will accept it.

Amma: So we will be making an announcement in today's press conference.

B: Alright.

After this very intense session everyone went off to get some rest before the reception. . Since they were all staying in the same house, there was no pag phera ritual to be completed. The reception was to start at six PM. Bella and Mahir had a lot to discuss. So they went to their room to talk and take some rest. They also decided how they will answer the media questions. They came down for lunch and after lunch went off to get ready. Bella had chosen a beautiful royal blue off shoulder gown with six inch heels for the evening. Her heels made an inch or so taller than Mahir, but he had insisted that it did not bother him. This time around Mahir helped her with her make-up and jewellery. Mahir was wearing a matching tuxedo.

They looked radiant when they came downstairs. Once everyone was ready, they started off for the reception. There was nothing intimate about the reception. Everything was grand from the decorations to the food arrangements; everything was befitting their social status. BeHir were the perfect media darlings, answering questions and posing for photographs. The whole evening went in socialising and mingling with the guests. By the end of the evening, BeHir's cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. By the time they reached home, they were all exhausted. They just changed quickly and then dropped off to sleep.

Next Amma, Appa and Sumi ma had planned new shock for BeHir. When they came downstairs, they were told that they would be sent off to a two week long honeymoon. Mahir tried to protest a little, but Bella tactfully handled the situation.

B: Ma how can we go now? We have already taken an unplanned holiday for two weeks already. And the Johnson deal has just been finalised. How can we...???

Sumi ma: We are quite aware of that so yours will be a business mixes with pleasure kind of honeymoon.

M: Meaning?

Appa: Your Honeymoon destination is London. You will have another face to face meeting with Mr. Johnson and then spend rest of the days honeymooning. Got it?

B: Okay.

Once they were in their room Mahir turned to Bella.

M: Why did you agree for the honeymoon?

B: Because we did not have a valid reason to refuse. And anyways Mahir, don't think of this as honeymoon, think of this as our first holiday together. We always wanted to travel together right? So now's our chance to do that. They need not know what we do on our so called honeymoon.

M: True!

In a couple of days their bags were packed and they were all set for London. Their London trip was spent in roaming around the city and sampling a lot of local food. Another surprise was waiting for them in London. Mr. Johnson had planned a lavish party for them on the occasion of their wedding. So one evening was spent in that. They paid customary visit to Nanu and Nani's place. That was not a very pleasant experience. They both had never quite accepted Mahir and Kuhu either, so there was no love lost between Mahir and his maternal grandparents. And they had never met Bella before, so there was no rapport there. It was just a namesake visit with no real emotions. Since they had never spent any time together, Mahir did not have any fondness for them. After that visit was done, BeHir spent one last day visiting a lot of iconic laces and then returned back home.

Their life continued on in this manner. In a couple of month's time Mayur and Tanya got married and BeHir attended their wedding. Their life would have continued to go on in this manner, had it not been for an incident that happened around eight months after BeHir's wedding. That incident changed their life completely.

last lines r scaring me
rest beautiful

What incident changed their life?

Oh wow

Oh my god what incident ?

Thank you guys. You will know about the incident soon enough. 😊

CHAPTER 23

It had been around eight months since the BeHir wedding. Life was going quite smoothly. BeHir had settled into their married life quite well. They had taken on the responsibilities of the company and were working very hard to justify the trust that their parents and siblings had shown in them. Summer month of April was just starting and the temperatures were soaring. The day would be very hot and night brought with it cool summer breeze. Basically, typical Mumbai weather. Things had not changed much since the wedding. Their friendship remained the same. Their equation remained the same. They were still best friends, but best friends who shared a room.

One fine April morning, Mahir woke up to a completely choked nose and sore throat. He could barely speak and breathing seemed like an uphill task. So Bella insisted that he should rest at home while she will take care of all the work. Anyways no important meetings were lined up, so there was no need for Mahir to attend the office. Bella had been feeling that something was off since morning but Mahir dismissed that feeling. But that day Bella was feeling the same dread that she had felt the day Mahir went to meet Tanya. The fear that she might end up losing Mahir all together. But even she dismissed that feeling as; Mahir was going to stay at home. Shee would be gone for merely four to five hours. What could possibly go wrong?

Bella left for the office slightly late as she wanted to ensure that Mahir took his medicines on time. She was the only one who could make him take his medicines. So she left after lunch. She had promised him that she would start off from office at around six and reach home by 7:30 PM latest. Bella was extremely cranky that day. As the time neared for her to leave that terrible gut feeling began to strengthen. She tried to delay her leaving by hook or by crook, she couldn't come with a valid enough reason to not attend office.

She was feeling a bit silly, but still she couldn't deny the gut feeling. At around 6:00 PM in the evening news came that whole of Mumbai was ablaze because some small time political leader had been shot dead. His supporters were burning things left right and centre. Bella felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. But she quelled it. There was no need to fear. Mahir was safe and sound at home. Most unfortunately, she had started off a little early than planned and was on the road, in a vulnerable position but luckily Pratham and Suhani's flat was situated nearby. She could head in that direction. Just then her phone rang. It was Mahir calling.

M: Bella where are you? Stay in the office itself. It's too risky to come home.

She could have lied to him. It would have been a white lie. But she didn't. Her heart told her to lie but her brain was against it. And Bella being an extremely logical person, listened to her brain as usual.

B: Actually I have already started off and I am on the road. But don't worry I am about fifteen minute's distance from Suhani's place. I am heading in that direction.

M: What! Bella you go towards to Suhani's place, I will join you shortly.

B: Mahir are you nuts? I will manage. You stay put. Okay?

M: (Silence)
B: Mahir did you hear that?

M: Why don't you call Suhani and ask her about the keys?

B: I will but you are staying at home. Alright?

M:Hmmm

B: Don't give evasive answers.

M: Bella now is not the time to fight. Disconnect the call and call Suhani.

B: But Mah...

But Mahir had already disconnected the call. Bella knew the only way to ensure that he stays at home was to reach Pratham and Suhani's place ASAP. So she quickly called up Suhani.

B: Hi! There is an emergency here. Riots are going on in Mumbai and I need a place to crash for one night. I am heading towards your place; can you tell me where your keys are kept?

Suhani: There is a set of keys at Mrs. Sharma's place. Our neighbour. I will call her and let her know that you are coming to collect the keys. And Bella, call as soon as you reach our home. Got it?

B: Yes Suhani. Thanks. I am almost to your place.

Suhani: Take care. See ya soon.

B: Yes. See ya!

Bella, disconnected the call and focused on driving the car. It was a mid-summer evening and so the sun had not yet set completely and there were still some day light minutes left. She wanted to reach Pratham's place before it got dark. In a couple of minutes she was driving her car towards Suhani's building's gate. She expected to be stopped at the gate, but Suhani had already informed the security that Bella was coming and they were to allow her to park her car in their spare parking space.

Bella was shown her parking space and she went upstairs and rung the neighbour's doorbell.

B: Namaste Aunty! I am Bella. Suhani must have called you...

Mrs. Sharma: Yes Suhani had called me. Come inside. Do you want some water?

B: No aunty. Just give me the keys, I will go and freshen up a bit.

As soon as she was seated in the aunty's living room, she pulled out her phone and called Mahir; but his phone was not reachable. Quelling the growing feeling of dread in her stomach, she called Sumi ma next.

B: Hello ma! I have reached Suhani's place. Sharma aunty is just getting the keys for me. Don't worry. Okay? And where is Mahir?? His phone is not reachable. Can you call him please? I want to talk with him. Ma? Are you still there?

Sumi ma: Yes Bella, but Mahir is not home.

B: What do you mean?

Sumi ma: He went out with his car immediately after you disconnected your call. We tried to stop him but, he didn't listen to anyone of us.

B: BUT ma, is he mad?

Sumi ma: Listen Bella, don't worry. He will reach there soon. Just give us a call as soon as he reaches there.

Bella was feeling scared. But still she quelled that feeling and simply told aunty that there was a possibility that her husband would come sometime late in the evening. She collected the keys and went inside Suhani's place. Suhani and Pratham were in Spain for an art exhibition so the house was empty. She shot Suhani a quick text saying that she had reached safely. Bella decided to keep trying to call Mahir till she could contact him.

When she next tried to call Mahir, he picked up the phone on the first ring itself.

M: Did you reach?

B: Mahir are you mad? Turn back. I am safe and sound. Just go home Mahir.

M: No, Bella I am coming to you.

B: Mahir Sehgal are you out of your mind? Turn that bloody car and go home. Did you hear me?

M: No Bella I can't..

B: What the f**k do you mean you can't? Turn that damn steering wheel and get that ass of yours home. Do you get me?

M: Bella I... AHHH

And the line went dead.

B: Mahir!!! MAHIR!! MAhir, what happened???

Bella was frantically trying to call Mahir, but her fingers were shaking so much that she found it difficult to eve hold the phone let alone dial Mahir's number. Get you shit together Bella' she thought. She took a calming breath and once again tried Mahir's number.

M: Yes Bella I...

Her relief at hearing his voice was quickly replaced by dread as other sounds registered in her mind. Loud violent sounds of angry mob screaming on the streets, people running helter skelter, sounds of glass shattering, people screaming in pain and agony, and in this chaos she thought she heard Mahir scream once again.

B: Mahir? MAHIR???? ARE YOU THERE? MAHIIIR????

It seemed Mahir had dropped his phone because after what felt like an eternity, but it was only a few minutes, everything went quiet. She understood for the first time what deathly silence meant. There was not a single sound to be heard. The line was still connected but there was nothing to hear on the other side. She kept the phone connected for some more time hoping that Mahir will somehow come and resume the conversation. But Mahir never resumed the conversation and she was eventually forced to accept that Mahir was no longer able to pick up the phone. Either he was too far away from the phone, he probably had to run away and he had dropped his phone in the haste or... But the or was very scary. NO it couldn't be. Mahir can't be dea... She stopped herself from completing the thought.

Hearing her screams, Sharma aunty had come running.

Mrs. Sharma: What happened dear?

Bella was in no position to answer any questions and one look at her face and aunty knew that now was not the time to ask questions. She simply came and put a comforting hand on Bella's shoulder. Bella couldn't bring herself to disconnect the line. A part of her hoped that Mahir would pick up the phone. She felt as though that phone was the only connecting link left between her and Mahir and disconnecting the line would mean cutting off the sole link that bound them together. But pushing aside such thoughts she disconnected the line. She consoled herself that what if Mahir tried to contact her in some other way? He should be able to reach her. What if Ma or Amma tried to call her?

Ma, Amma... She thought she should call them up and tell what she had heard. She quickly dialled Rehan's number and told him what she had heard. Rehan consoled her saying that maybe he had simply dropped his phone. And that he must be alright. He promised to inform everyone of this. He offered to stay on phone continuously so that she doesn't feel alone. Bella agreed. When Rehan told Sumi ma, even she consoled Bella saying Mahir must be alright. Since Bella's phone's battery was dying out, she decided to plug in the charger and she kept the phone on loudspeaker mode. Sharma aunty had decided to stay with her till Mahir came so even she joined in their conversation. They continued to chat for sometime when suddenly they heard Kuhu scream from the other room.

Everyone rushed to the other room where Kuhu was sitting and even Bella waited with bated breath to know what had happened. That sinking feeling had returned. Suddenly she heard Rehan shouting for her switch on the TV to a particular news channel. She quickly turned on the TV and searched for the channel. She saw that they were showing some clippings from the riots. It was horrific scene with shops and cars burning and tyres burning everywhere. One clipping showed an upturned car with a completely burnt hand protruding from the driver's seat window. The car was still burning when the clipping was taken and there was no hope for the driver. That car looked vaguely familiar to Bella. When the camera panned out, she noticed the car's number plate which was pretty clearly visible.

MH 04 CA 7... NO! It can't be... But the evidence was right in front of her. It was Mahir's car.

Omg😲

All Izz well